Multi-use cargo carrier adaptor and assemblies including the same

Abstract

A cargo carrier apparatus with cargo platform and vehicle hitch receiver bar. The cargo platform is supported by the receiver bar and the cargo carrier apparatus has an adaptor supported by the receiver bar. The adaptor having an additional component assembly joining device and a sleeve portion secured to a free end of the receiver bar with the sleeve being C-shaped cross-sectioned that is supported by an underlying portion of the receiver bar. The adaptor having a joining device receiving an extension device extending between the joining device and an above supported additional component as in a bike carrier assembly or grill assembly. The cargo platform, adaptor and receiver bar are stacked with one or more bolts extending through all elements in the stack. The extension device includes a straight or bent support post with attachment device at both ends for connection with the joining device and the additional component.

1 . A cargo carrier apparatus, comprising:
 a cargo carrier platform;   a receiver device having a section adapted for support securement to a vehicle, and said cargo carrier platform being supported by said receiver device;   an adaptor supported by said receiver bar, and said adaptor having an additional component assembly joining device.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said adaptor includes a sleeve portion dimensioned for support receipt by a free end region of said receiver device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve portion has a C-shaped cross-section with an upper section designed for support by an underlying positioned portion of said receiver device. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve portion extends for 45 to 45% of a full length of elongation of said receiver device. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said sleeve has one or more independent securement hole locations spaced along said sleeve for securement of the sleeve to said receiver device and said joining device being connected to said sleeve portion in a manner which provides an alignment facilitator relative to the one or more securement hole locations used in securement of said sleeve portion to said receiver device. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said receiver device is a receiver bar having means for securement to a hitch of a vehicle at an interior end and having a free end region at an opposite exterior end. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said adaptor comprises a sleeve portion supported by said free end of said receiver bar and said joining device extending from said sleeve portion and providing a female/male joining arrangement relative to an extension extending between the joining device and an additional component of the additional component assembly when the cargo carrier apparatus is in use. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve portion has a C-shaped cross-section and said joining device comprises a tubular member designed for a telescopic connection with an extension of the additional component assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said receiver device is a hitch receiver bar and said adaptor has a sleeve portion connected to said joining device which is slideably received by the free end region of said receiver bar and said joining device being arranged, relative to an axis of elongation of said receiver bar, at a location farther removed from the vehicle than an adjacent section of said cargo platform. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said sleeve portion has an upper wall section, two opposite wall sections and a lower open region which provides for vertical movement of said sleeve relative to the free end region of the receiver bar during assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said joining section includes a tubular member that has an axis of elongation arranged along said vertical and said tubular member extends vertically above a plane lying flush on an upper surface of said receiver bar. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said tubular member has a bottom wall section that at least partially closes off a bottom region of said tubular member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising securement means for securing in position, in a stacked relationship at least two amongst said cargo carrier platform, receiver bar and adaptor. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said securement means includes a bolt extending through all three of said cargo carrier platform, receiver bar and adaptor. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a cargo platform assembly comprising said cargo platform and an underlying bridge support structure and said securement means includes a bolt that extends through said cargo carrier platform, receiver bar, adaptor and said underlying bridge support. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said cargo platform is a break-downable cargo platform comprising a pair of cargo platform sections and a tie plate for joining adjacent edges of said cargo platform sections and said bolt extends through said tie plate of said cargo carrier platform. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an extension device and an additional component and said extension device being releasably joined with said joining device and extending between said joining device and said additional component. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said additional component is fastened to said joining device with an attachment device comprising a pin and clip combination. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said additional component is a grill assembly comprising a grill body and an extension reception device supported by said grill body and at least one stand alone leg support designed to support the grill body when said grill assembly is moved from a support relationship with said adaptor. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said reception device is supported on a strengthened section of said grill body which is integrated with a grill body of said grill assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said reception device is a pocket member which telescopically receives an upper end portion of said extension device. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said extension device includes a bent section that places an upper end of said extension device farther away from a supporting vehicle than a lower end of said extension device when in use. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said additional component is a bike rack assembly and said bike rack is connected to an upper end region of said extension device. 
   
   
       23 . A cargo carrier adaptor device for connection of an additional component to a cargo carrier platform designed for vehicle support, said adaptor comprising a C-shaped cross-sectioned section adapted for support on a free end region of a hitch receiver bar supporting the cargo carrier platform and a component joining device extending from said sleeve portion and designed for a female/male connection arrangement relative to an extension device extending between the connection device and an additional component when the cargo carrier apparatus is in use. 
   
   
       24 . A method of assembling a cargo carrier apparatus, comprising:
 providing a receiver bar designed for cantilever attachment to a vehicle support location;   providing a cargo platform;   providing an adaptor having a receiver bar connection section dimensioned for support by a free end region of the receiver bar;   arranging the above noted receiver bar, cargo platform and adaptor in a stacked relationship.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising providing an extension device and an additional component and joining the extension device to said adaptor with the additional component supported on a more upper region of said extension device located above the cargo platform. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said additional component is a grill assembly and said method comprising releasably connecting said extension device and said grill assembly. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said additional component is a bike rack assembly and said method comprising releasably connecting said extension device and said bike rack assembly.